Latest news with #CaseyBrown
West Australian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
2025 Roebourne Cup delivers big crowds and a comeback champion
The Pilbara's premier racing spectacle lived up to its reputation as thousands flocked to the Nor West Jockey Club for the highly anticipated 2025 Roebourne Cup. Held on Saturday, July 26, racegoers turned out in high spirits for a day that blended thrilling on-track action with a strong sense of style. After a disappointing run last year that saw him finish an eighteen-length seventh, Zadar Rock returned with something to prove, storming home to claim the $50,000 Roebourne Cup (2200m) in front of an electric crowd. While the races kept punters engaged throughout the afternoon, it was the fashions on the field competition that drew just as much attention off the track. Participants turned heads with bold outfits and standout millinery, giving judges plenty to deliberate. Casey Brown took home the title of Miss Roebourne Cup and a $1500 prize in a stunning red ensemble. Best Dressed Lady was awarded to Kelly Ruthford, whose patterned frock earned high praise, while Best Millinery went to Amy Mitchell for her intricately designed headwear to complement her dragonfly dress.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
"Always wanting to be alone with me": Boston University reopens probe into athletic department harassment days after Alex Cooper's heartbreaking revelation
Boston University is in the middle of a huge scandal as many of their former female athletes have opened up about harassment from former women's soccer coaches and how their whole experience has been extremely uncomfortable. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Recently, former Boston University athlete and famous podcaster, Alex Cooper, opened up about it on her documentary and now, there is finally an update about it from the prestigious university. Boston University is about to launch a new investigation into the harassment claims, weeks after Alex Cooper opened up about her uncomfortable experiences With many of Boston University's former female athletes opening up about harassment, even though the university remained silent for a while, it has finally taken action. Boston University seeks outside review after new allegations from soccer team and more top stories Recently, Boston University issued an official statement about launching a new external investigation after receiving complaints about its athletics department. For the unversed, previously the Boston University had launched a similar investigation when a player had accused women's soccer coach Casey Brown of harassment. Casey Brown resigned from her job in December 2024, months after denying her involvement. At that time, Boston University had issued a statement about 'finding no evidence' to support the player's claims against women's soccer coach Casey Brown. The statement from Boston University read as, 'Within days of receiving those initial complaints, BU launched an external investigation and hired Phil Catanzano of Education & Sports Law Group to conduct a comprehensive examination of the situation. The investigation found no evidence of sexual harassment and no BU policy violations.' But this was not the only harassment complaint that the prestigious university had received in the last few months. Appearing heartbroken and visibly emotional, Alex Cooper had opened up about her uncomfortable experience after she accused former coach Nancy Feldman of harassment. In Alex Cooper's newly released docuseries, Call Her Alex, the famous podcaster said, "[It] was all based in her wanting to know who I was dating, her making comments about my body and her always wanting to be alone with me.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With the Boston University launching a new investigation into the harassment claims, many are hopeful of the truth finally coming to light even though none of their former players have issued an official statement about it yet. Alex Cooper has also remained silent about it.
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Boston University hit by more sexual harassment claims just weeks after Alex Cooper's allegations
A second ex-Boston University women's soccer coach has been accused of sexual harassment just weeks after Alex Cooper's bombshell claims were made public. Cooper, who played at the school from 2013-15, made shock allegations against longtime head coach Nancy Feldman in her newly-released Hulu documentary, 'Call Me Alex', earlier this month. The Call Her Daddy podcast host described the harassment as 'extremely painful' and claims it has had 'lasting effects' on her to this day, while she also alleges that her concerns were dismissed by school officials. And according to the Boston Globe, Feldman's former assistant coach Casey Brown is facing similar accusations from soccer player Shayla Brown. Shayla, who was also a student-athlete at the university, reportedly contacted the confidential ethics hotline about Brown on September 14, 2024, before discussing another player's alleged ordeal with the team's sports psychologist four days later. 'The coach, she said, was acting inappropriately toward one of BU's key players, focusing excessively on her and trying to manipulate her in ways that were distressing to the player and her teammates,' the Boston Globe noted. 'This was not a case of a coach coddling a prized player, Shayla Brown said. Her teammate was 'being groomed,' she told the psychologist.' The next day Shayla and 17 other BU women's soccer players are said to have taken their claims to the school's Equal Opportunity Office. They reportedly noted that one of their teammates, who asked not to be identified, also shared her own experience with school officials after alleging that she too had been targeted. 'She recalled navigating a stream of awkward texts, unsettling invitations and unwanted attention,' the report claims. After succeeding Feldman as head coach in 2022, Brown stepped down from her position in December after Boston University launched an investigation into the complaints, despite the school claiming the probe found 'there were no BU policy violations and no evidence of sexual harassment.' 'I firmly object to the attack on my character and the way my conduct has been portrayed,' Brown also said. 'The examples used against me are selective, out of context, and open to interpretation, yet they're being presented as fact. I reject that and I question why, despite a clear investigative outcome, these claims are still being amplified. 'I stand by my record and the values that shape my work as a coach.' has reached out to Boston University for comment. Following her astonishing claims, TMZ Sports reported earlier this month that several ex-BU women's players insist their interactions with Feldman were drastically different to Cooper's. A letter from a representative of BU Women's Soccer alumni, which was signed by 99 former Terriers stars, stated that while they do not want to 'diminish or discredit anyone's individual experience,' they felt obliged to share their own experiences as a 'united group.' The group claimed in the letter that they 'categorically never felt unsafe' under Feldman's leadership, before adding: 'We were never at risk of or witness to inappropriate behavior or anything that could be characterized as sexual harassment. 'As a leader, she approached every day with professionalism, making decisions in service of the success of the team.' Players spanning several decades reportedly signed the letter, which added that Feldman's influence didn't end after their collegiate careers. 'She has remained an important part of our lives, and we shall stand by her,' they said.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Boston University soccer coach Casey Brown resigns following sexual harassment allegations from student-athlete
Image via Boston University Athletics (Image of assistant coach Casey Brown) Boston University is facing renewed scrutiny after a second former student-athlete has come forward with serious allegations of misconduct within its storied women's soccer program. Shayla Brown, a senior midfielder, has accused assistant coach Casey Brown of inappropriate behavior toward a teammate—just months after Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper publicly shared her own disturbing experience with former head coach Nancy Feldman. Brown's account, initially reported through Boston University's ethics hotline in September 2024 and later corroborated by other team members, paints a troubling picture of a coach-athlete dynamic that may have crossed professional boundaries. The university placed Casey Brown on administrative leave during the investigation; she resigned in December. These developments follow Alex Cooper's viral revelations, which ignited a broader conversation about athlete welfare and institutional accountability. As BU attempts to reckon with its past, growing public attention places pressure on the university to uphold its stated values of safety, equity, and transparency. Fresh Harassment Claim Hits Boston University Soccer as Alex Cooper's Allegations Resonate Boston University responds to Alex Cooper's allegations Shayla Brown first approached BU's confidential ethics hotline on September 14, 2024, concerned about an assistant coach's behavior that felt invasive and manipulative. Four days later, she shared her distress with the team's sports psychologist, describing how Casey Brown's attention toward a key player felt like systematic grooming over two years . Brown, along with 17 others, then reported similar experiences to the Equal Opportunity Office. The student-athlete at the center of the allegations spoke of 'unsettling invitations,' persistent texts, and a sense of relentless fixation—prompting BU to place Casey Brown on administrative leave midseason. In December 2024, Casey resigned. BU declared no policy violations were found after investigation, though the resignation stood. Just weeks earlier, Alex Cooper had recounted her own experience with former head coach Nancy Feldman: comments about her body, invasive questions, even physical contact—all ignored by officials at the time. Cooper's story, first revealed in her Hulu docuseries and accompanied by social media outcry, set in motion a broader reckoning at BU. BU furnished a statement affirming its 'zero‑tolerance policy' and said it encourages members to report concerns. Also read: Is Simone Biles Sending a Silent Cry for Help? Mental Health Concerns Rise After X Exit and Cryptic Post These revelations arrive at a moment when the sports world is undergoing profound shifts. From the Yates Report in the NWSL to #MeToo-era reckonings, the spotlight on coach-athlete power imbalances has intensified. BU's actions now resonate beyond its campus, reflecting a universal challenge: how to nurture environments of trust and accountability while facing allegations that cut at the very foundations of mentorship and guidance. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Boston Globe
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
‘I needed to escape my coach': A second Boston University women's soccer coach faced complaints, then resigned
Four days later, Shayla Brown went further, sharing details with the team's sports psychologist. The coach, she said, was acting inappropriately toward one of BU's key players, focusing excessively on her and trying to manipulate her in ways that were distressing to the player and her teammates. Related : This was not a case of a coach coddling a prized player, Shayla Brown said. Her teammate was 'being groomed,' she told the psychologist. The next day, Shayla Brown and 17 other BU women's soccer players reported similar allegations to BU's Equal Opportunity Office. Before long, their teammate who was allegedly targeted shared her experience with school officials, as well. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Casey Brown, in a statement to the Globe, strongly denied the allegations. Advertisement The key player told the university then — and the Globe recently — that her coach fawned over her for more than two years in ways that felt relentless and wrong. She recalled navigating a stream of awkward texts, unsettling invitations, and unwanted attention. The player, who remains on the team, asked not to be identified. She said she is concerned about retaliation and her emotional health. Casey Brown, 37, was placed on leave midseason. A former BU star, Brown had played and served as an assistant coach under Nancy Feldman, who resigned in 2022 after guiding the Terriers to 14 NCAA Tournaments in 27 years at the helm. Advertisement Earlier this month, a popular podcaster, Alex Cooper, Casey Brown officially resigned in December after BU commissioned an investigation into complaints from the soccer players. The allegations and inquiry have not been previously reported. Both BU and Casey Brown said the investigation, by former federal civil rights attorney Philip Catanzano, found no misconduct by the coach. 'At the conclusion of the investigation, there were no BU policy violations and no evidence of sexual harassment,' BU said in a statement. 'Nevertheless, BU and Brown parted ways, and Brown is no longer the head coach.' Brown, who previously served as the head coach at Penn and Holy Cross, declined to be interviewed. Her statement said, 'I got into coaching to help student-athletes become the best version of themselves, on and off the field.' Brown said she has been committed in every way to helping her players and teams thrive. Related : 'I firmly object to the attack on my character and the way my conduct has been portrayed,' she said. 'The examples used against me are selective, out of context, and open to interpretation, yet they're being presented as fact. I reject that and I question why, despite a clear investigative outcome, these claims are still being amplified. 'I stand by my record and the values that shape my work as a coach.' Brown declined through her attorney, Christine Brown, of Christine Brown & Partners, to elaborate on why she resigned. Advertisement Investigative findings not shared BU, a private institution, said the investigative report will not be shared with the public. Members of the 2024 team said athletic director Drew Marrochello indicated the university negotiated the terms of Brown's resignation, but did not share the investigative findings, citing privacy laws. Now Feldman and Brown are both back in the news, along with questions about BU's handling of the complaints. Cooper said she never heard from the university again after she formally alleged sexual harassment to the administration. BU issued a statement about Cooper's allegation, saying the university 'has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment.' 'We have a robust system of resources, support, and staff dedicated to student well-being and a thorough reporting process through our Equal Opportunity Office,' the statement said. 'We remain committed to fostering a safe and secure campus environment for all.' 'Casey, help me,' Cooper recalled pleading to Brown in Feldman's office. Brown turned away, Cooper said, 'and did nothing about it.' Brown said in a statement to the Globe that she had 'no recollection' of the incident. 'But let me be absolutely clear: I would never ignore, dismiss or turn away from anyone — a player, a teammate, a friend, a family member — who sought my help in any capacity,' Brown stated. 'The suggestion that I would do otherwise is completely false.' Brown's declaration rang hollow to many of her former players. Four of the nearly 20 members of the 2024 team who registered complaints with BU about Brown's behavior told the Globe that she caused them or their teammates to seek mental health care. Related : Advertisement Nearly a decade after BU stood by Feldman amid Cooper's allegations, Brown's former players asserted that the university effectively protected Brown by permitting her to resign without notifying the public about the circumstances surrounding her departure. Brown has not coached since leaving BU. Brown's expressions of admiration or fondness for the player appeared evident among hundreds of text messages between the coach and player reviewed by the Globe. 'Love you always!' Brown texted. 'My dawgggg . . . Appreciate you always,' Brown said in another text. When the player pushed back over various issues, Brown tried to appease her, once texting, 'I feel like ur annoyed w me in general [sad face emoji] . . . sorry if I pissed you off.' 'I felt deeply uncomfortable and sexualized' When BU hired Brown in 2022, she seemed like a natural fit, given her experience as a four-time all-conference player for the Terriers from 2006-09 and as an assistant coach under Feldman. A former star at Natick High, Brown guided BU in her first year at the helm to an 11-8-1 record. One of the freshmen on her team would become the alleged object of her attention. Brown's focus on the player allegedly intensified in 2023. Three of her teammates said they had grown accustomed to coaches at all levels favoring certain players, but some said they were disturbed by what they described as Brown's persistent focus on this one team member. The player became increasingly isolated, they said, and team chemistry suffered. Camryn O'Connor, a senior from Easton and a close friend of the player, was among those who formally complained. O'Connor, who played three years for BU before stepping away after multiple concussions, recalled watching her friend's emotional health spiral downward. Advertisement 'Initially, she shared details about the troubling situation but then retreated into silence, her demeanor changing, as well,' O'Connor said. 'The once-sociable young woman became withdrawn from her relationships with friends and teammates.' The young woman said she was especially troubled by an incident in which Brown sent her a video clip of her competing in a game. The video featured her passing, moving, and shooting — 'nothing out of the ordinary,' she said — with Brown narrating over the footage. To her shock, she said, Brown made moaning sounds during her commentary. 'I felt deeply uncomfortable and sexualized,' she said. The player said she felt compelled at times to lie to Brown to avoid her. 'The truth was, I needed to escape my coach,' she wrote to the Globe. 'But saying 'no' felt impossible, as she held authority over every aspect of my life — soccer, academics, scholarship, housing, meal plans, even an opportunity to play [overseas].' As suspicions escalated about the coach's relationship with the player, a schism widened among teammates. 'Unconsciously, I began to distance myself from my teammates, and they, in turn, distanced themselves from me,' the player said. 'I later realized they feared I might report their frustrations or criticisms to our head coach. This dynamic created an atmosphere of tension and distrust, further isolating me from the people I relied on most.' In October, Brown was placed on leave. In December, BU posted a three-paragraph notice on its athletics website that Brown 'will be stepping down from her position.' Advertisement The notice made no mention of the complaints, instead listing Brown's accomplishments at BU. A separate message from Marrochello to BU's women's soccer alumni struck a more upbeat tone. He wrote, 'We wish Casey the best in her future endeavors.' Outrage ensued among members of the team. Players accused BU of caring more about its reputation than protecting student-athletes. 'In my opinion, the athletic department is as culpable as Casey Brown; they are the origin point of her abuse at Boston University and gave her the platform to do so by hiring her,' said Natalie Godoy, a senior forward from Connecticut. 'They then continued their negligence by failing to handle the situation efficiently and effectively.' University administration called 'cowardly' In a 45-minute meeting with Marrochello on the day Brown resigned, players lashed out, asserting that BU enabled Brown by allowing her to depart with her reputation intact, according to multiple participants. Players said they asked Marrochello if he believed he did everything he could to prevent Brown from repeating her alleged behavior at another school. 'This team deserves justice, which at minimum would be for the true narrative to be told,' Shayla Brown told the Globe. One player at the meeting called the administration's handling of the matter 'cowardly.' Another told Marrochello, 'Casey Brown is looking for a new job as you're looking for a new coach. That should make you sick to your stomach.' Marrochello acknowledged during the meeting that team members endured a 'tumultuous' and 'brutally tough year,' participants said. He told them the university handled the matter as well as possible and was constrained by privacy laws from saying more. 'I would not say I'm protecting her,' he was quoted as saying. He also expressed his commitment to student safety. BU said in its statement for this story: 'In recent weeks, the BU Equal Opportunity Office has reached out to every BU athlete to review resources, support, and reporting processes. While we have received some questions and comments from this outreach, we have no current reports of concerns to address or investigate.' It turned out that the Terriers fared well after Brown was placed on leave. They started the season 2-7-4 under her leadership, then went unbeaten in six straight games, capturing the Patriot League title and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. In January, Brown was officially replaced by one of her assistants, Megan Burke, who had coached the Terriers after Brown was placed on leave. A team that once seemed fractured now seems unified. Bob Hohler can be reached at
